FAQs

Sub-program 1 (Research Project Grant) funds team-based project execution (up to 9 months) for equipment, research activities, participant honoraria, travel, and publication costs. Sub-program 2 (Publication & Conference Grant) funds dissemination of completed research (publication charges, conference registration, travel) and emphasizes presentation/publication rather than project implementation.

Yes. Eligible students may submit applications to both sub-programs, provided each application meets that sub-program’s requirements and deadlines.

Yes. If awarded and you have not yet completed a UROP course, you must enroll in a UROP credit course during the program period. Priority is given to applicants who have completed at least one UROP credit course or are currently enrolled in a UROP credit course (e.g., UROP1010, UROP2010, UROP3010, UROP4010).

No. A student may participate in up to two projects but may serve as a Principal Investigator (PI) on only one project per academic year.

First-year students may join projects as team members but are not eligible to serve as a PI or co-PI.

Yes. Previous recipients remain eligible to apply. When proposals are similarly strong, the CECS Scientific Board may give preference to applicants who have not previously received Sub-program 1 funding to promote fairness.

Yes. CECS requires awarded students to complete the online Canvas course “Fundamental Research Skills”, which provides essential training in research methodologies and ethics. Students must obtain the course certificate within one month of project start to remain eligible.

The ERB (Ethical Review Board) is the institutional body that reviews research ethics compliance (for example, protocols involving human subjects, sensitive personal information, animals, or biosafety risks). Not every project needs ERB approval; projects involving human participants, identifiable personal data, animal subjects, or other regulated procedures typically require prior ERB review and approval. For project-specific guidance and to determine whether ERB review is required, please contact the supervisor or CECS Academic Assistant for Research.

Standard project duration is nine (9) months, with an optional three (3)-month extension (no extra funding). Reporting requirements depend on project length: projects ≤ 5 months submit one final report; projects >5 and ≤9 months submit a progress report, an updated budget plan (detailing actual and forecasted spending for the project’s second half) and one final report. Final reports are due within two weeks of project completion.

Recipients must provide proof of dissemination: published paper file or DOI for publications; certificate of participation or conference proceedings for conference presentations. Recipients are encouraged to present results at a VinUni symposium or CECS platform.

A work package is a manageable sub-project breaking down the research goal into actionable components, including tasks, deliverables, responsibilities, and timelines.
Requirements: Limit to 2-3 work packages per project based on scale; ensure distinct objectives.
Funding cap: USD 1,000 (VND 26,000,000) per package, within the USD 3,000 (VND 78,000,000) project total.

No. Grant funds cannot be used to pay salaries or personal living expenses. Permitted uses include equipment or services required for the research, travel related to the project, publication/dissemination costs, and conference fees.

No. CECS manages the funds and disburses payments or reimbursements based on approved requests, invoices, and receipts. Direct cash transfers to students are not permitted.

No. Unused funds from a concluded project cannot be reallocated to other projects or reserved for future projects; they revert to the CECS budget.

Sub-program 2 sets a maximum award of USD 1,000 per request. If your expected costs exceed that maximum, you should reduce the requested amount to the allowable limit and seek additional funds from other sources. Note that Sub-program 2 awards are disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis until the total allocation is exhausted.

No. Sub-program 1 and Sub-program 2 funds are separate. Sub-program 2 is only for dissemination of completed research and cannot be used to supplement Sub-program 1 implementation budgets. Please seek alternative funding sources if additional implementation funds are needed.

No. Students can receive only one Sub-program 2 award per academic year.

Yes. A single extension of up to three (3) months may be granted. Extension requests must be submitted to CECS at least one month before the project end date, include a detailed action and budget plan for the extension, and be approved by the faculty supervisor and CECS. No additional funding will be provided for the extension period.

Please contact CECS Office (Academic Assistant for Research) and your faculty supervisor by email.